Another year, another clock, but for the first time for my alarm clocks [1][2][3] I am not using an MSP430 but a PIC24 instead. Standby current is with 5.5 µA only slightly higher than that of my MSP430 based ones. Time keeping is done using the RTCC pheripheral, which I also used for the first time.

This is great Markus, I've always wanted to make my own alarm clock. I've been giving this a go over the past few days but my clock doesn't dim in the dark. Maybe my photo transistor is broken. Where did you get yours?

Markus Gritsch wrote:Another year, another clock, but for the first time for my alarm clocks [1][2][3] I am not using an MSP430 but a PIC24 instead. Standby current is with 5.5 µA only slightly higher than that of my MSP430 based ones. Time keeping is done using the RTCC pheripheral, which I also used for the first time.

It can be seen in action in this YouTube video: Friendly green digits :)

And of course it has a LiFePO4 battery on its back, being charged every few years using my new USB charger [4].

A photo transistor is also included to dim the display in the dark. Much nices to the eyes when checking what time it is in the middle of the night.

This is great Markus, I've always wanted to make my own alarm clock. I've been giving this a go over the past few days but my clock doesn't dim in the dark. Maybe my photo transistor is broken. Where did you get yours?

[quote=]Another year, another clock, but for the first time for my alarm clocks [1][2][3] I am not using an MSP430 but a PIC24 instead. Standby current is with 5.5 µA only slightly higher than that of my MSP430 based ones. Time keeping is done using the RTCC pheripheral, which I also used for the first time.

It can be seen in action in this YouTube video: Friendly green digits :)

And of course it has a LiFePO4 battery on its back, being charged every few years using my new USB charger [4].

A photo transistor is also included to dim the display in the dark. Much nices to the eyes when checking what time it is in the middle of the night.

Markus, this is the perfect homemade gift for my wife's birthday later this month! (She's an electric engineer). I think I'll use an MSP430 but I don't know where to find a photo transistor... I'm searching eBay to little avail